Poetic beauty and historical insights can be derived from a quiet contemplation of the ivy and espalier — anchored shrubs or trees — on the Princeton campus. Here, Hedera helix climbs the north wall of Stanhope Hall in the 1936 Garden.

Photos by Neil Mills

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Video feature: 'Princeton: Ivy and Espalier'

Posted September 24, 2012; 12:00 p.m.

by Neil Mills, Office of Communications

Princeton's campus, when studied carefully, reveals the meticulous and expert care that the landscaping receives. Indeed, the mature plantings are the product of creative minds, past and present, and countless hours of labor.

Nowhere is this more evident than the presence of climbing ivy and espalier — anchored shrubs or trees — on many University buildings, such as the commemorative ivy planted by each graduating class at Nassau Hall. This video offers a brief visual stroll through campus with an eye for the poetic beauty that ivy and espalier provide to all who view them.

Not only are these elements now an iconic fixture of the Princeton campus, they are evidence of the legacy and vision of Beatrix Jones Farrand, official University consulting landscape architect from 1915 to 1934. The campus continues to grow and display modern touches in both architecture and landscaping, and both ivy-covered edifices and carefully manicured espalier faithfully remain.